Portable electric-lamp support.



W. R. GREEN & A, FORNANDBR.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1913.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

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W. R. GREEN & A. PORNANDER.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1913.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

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WILLARD R. GREEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND ALFREII FORNANZDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WALL-ACE NOVELTY COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC-LAMP SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented A gl 1914 Application filed August 5, I913. Serial No. 783,010.

To all whom it, may com-ma! Be it known that we. Wxnmun R. GREEN,

a citizen of the United States, residing in the cit-v of Chicago, county of Cook. and State of l'llinois. and ALFRED FORNANDER, subject of the King of Sweden, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Electric-Lamp Supports, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to portable electric lamps or lamp supports in which a cable carrying the electric conductors is adapted to be wound upon a spool or reel carried by the support, and it is the object of the, invention to provide a device of this character that is cheap, simple and compact in construction, neat in appearance and eflicient in operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a lamp support of this character which may be set upon a flat Surface, such as a table, and the lamp connected thereto so that it may be in an upright position or may be adjusted to any angular position; to provide means to clamp and support it from the back of a chair or the like or hang it upon a hook or nail, and to provide means whereby it may be supported on a flat surface which may be at any inclination to the horizontal, such as a pane of glass or mirror.

In carrying out the invention we provide a hollow base open at the bottom and having a nipple projecting from the top, a spool or reel having a hollow stem fixed to and extending laterally from the axis of the spool and whereby the spool is rotatably supported in the base. said stem also acting as the support for the lamp. The core of the spool is hollow or recessed, a pivotally supported suction cup normally occupying a position within the spool core but being adapted to be swung out from the core to project beyond the side walls of the base to engage with a flat surface the suction created by said cup firmly holding the lamp support in position. T o clamp and support the lamp support from the back of a chair or the like there is provided a spring or resilient member cooperating with the base as a clamp, this member consisting of a bail conforming substan-' tially to the formation of the base and having a series of coils adjacent each end withthe ends fixed within the base, the tension of the coils being such as to exert a pressure on the bail and force it into the base. The bail 15 provided with a finger-piece to pull it out from the base and the finger-piece has an opening for the engagement of a hook or nail to suspend the lamp-support therefrom. In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a portable electric lamp support illustrating an embodiment of our invention.' Fig. 2 is a View loo-king at the bottom of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation illustrating the suction cup swung out from the spool and engaging with a flat surface perpendicular to the horizontal to support the lamp support. Fig. 4 is a. View similar to Fig. 3 but showing the suction cup engaging in the spool core. Fig. 5 is a slde elevation illustrating the manner of suspending the lamp support from a hook or nail; and Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating the manner of supporting the lamp support on the back of a chair or the like.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout the differe t views of the drawings.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings consists of a hollow base or shell 7, in the present instance circular in shape and open at the bottom, the side walls being substantially perpendicular and at right angles to the top, a nipple 8 extending centrally up from the top, an annular seat 9 being formed at the juncture of the nipple with the base in which seat is fixed a washer 10 the opening in which is concentric with the opening in the nipple 8 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The nipple is preferably constructed integral with the base, although it may be constructed separate therefrom, in which case the base is provided with a circular projection conforming to the washer 10 over which the nipple engages and is secured, as by soldering; this projection having an opening concentric with the opening in the nipple. In this type of lamp a flexible cable 17 containing the electric current conductors is employed to use the lamp at different distances from the connection of such conductors with the electric current, and to prevent any slack or trailing cable between the point of the A hollow stem 12 is fixed to and extends j axially from the spool and extends through the openings in the-washer 10 and nipple 8,'

whereby the spool is rotatably supported in the base, the engagement of said stennwith the openings in the washer and nipple providing a long1 bearing preventing lateral movement wit the spool and the binding thereof against the inner wall of the top of the base. Portions of the end of the stem are cut away to provide a pair of opposite fingers 13, 13 having concentric openings adjacent the ends thereof. A tubular coupling 14 is pivotally supported between said fingers, as at 15,

(Fig. 4) to which a lamp socket 16 is re leasably connected, as by screw threads. One end of the cable 17 is threaded through an opening 18 (Fig. 4.) in the spool core and passes through thevhollow stem 12, coupling 14 and the electric conductors connected with the lamp socket 16. The free end of the cable passes through an eyelet 18 in the side wall of the base and has a plug connected thereto for connection with the source of electric current. The pivotal connection of the coupling permits of the adjusting of the lamp or bulb in any angular position, and to cause the fingers 13 to clamp the coupling and frictionally maintain the bulb in any such adjusted position a longitudinal split sleeve 19 is provided, this sleeve consisting of springy'metal and of less diameter'than the stem tends to clamp or draw the fingers together or toward each other and against the coupling. One end of the sleeve abuts against the end of the nipple 8 locking the stem and spool against axlal movement.

To'permit of the supporting of the lamp on the back of a chair or the like, resilient or springy means are provided normally concealed within and cooperating with the base to serveas a clamp. This means consists of a bail 2O conforming substantially to the shape of the base having coils 21 adjacent each end to lie contiguous to the inner wall of the base and adjacent the bottom (as clearly shown in Fig. 1) with the ends extending down the sides and then bent substantially at right angles to extend along the inner face of the top of the base and secured thereto as by soldering. It will be noted that the forward portion of the bail is so curved or bent from the coiled portions to the front extremity so that the front in normal position will lie or bear against the the consequent canting of inner face of the top of the base, as shown in Fig. 1.- The coi s 21 are so wound to act as s rings the tension of which at 11 times ten s to exert a pressure toward the ass and when supported on the back of a chair firmly holds it in position. To increase the gripping quality of the .bail and prevent any ac- 'c 'enta slipping the bail may be covered with a frictional gripping material 22, wh ch may consist of rub er tubing surrounding the bail. To facilitate the pulling of the bail out from the base a-finger-piece or clip 23 having anopening 24 is pivotally connected to the bail, this finger iece normally lying contiguous to the, inner ace of the side wall of the base when the bail is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. This finger- 'iece may also act as a means te suspend the amp from a hook or nail, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted. that when the lamp is suspended from the finger=piece 23; the latter bears against the bottom edge of the base taking up any pressures exerted on the bail by the sprin coils 21 maintaining the lamp in an even orizontal position, or in any position it'may be adjusted.

To permit-of the supporting of the lamp upon a flat surface inclined to the horiron-- tal, such as a ane of glass or the mirror of a dresser or rcssi'ng table, as showing Fig. 3, there is provided a suction cup 25,

said cup having a screw threaded stem 26 whereby it is secured to a bar 27 'ivotally' supported at its ends in the sides 0 the core of; the spool, preferably at one side of the axis of .rotation of the spool, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. This clip is nor- 7 mally maintained in a position. in the spool core and within the outer contour of the base, as shown in said Figs.- 2 and 4, and retained therein by the frictional engagement therewith with the walls of the core. To utilize the suction cup the bar 27 is rotated swinging the cup out from the core recess and the bar is so locatedand the size of the cup is such that the latter will "project out from the core suificiently beyond the outer contour of the base to permit of the pressing of the cup against the surface with the consequent formation of a vacuum therein when the pressure is released and the firm supporting of the'lamp.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the invention may be used without others.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base open at the bottom, and a spool within said base having a hollow stem fixed to and extending longitudinally along the axis of said spool and through which a flexible conductor is adapted to pass, said stem extending through an opening in the base and whereby the spool an opening in the base to rotatably support the spool in the base, portions of the free end of the stem being cut away to form a I pair of opposite fingers between which the lamp is pivotally supported to swing on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the spool.

3. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base; a spool within the base having a tubular stem fixed to andextending coaxially therefrom and through an opening in the base to rotatably support the spool in the base, portions of the free end of the stem being cut away toform a pair of opposite fingers; and a tubular coupling pivotally supported between the stem fingers to swing on an axis transverse to the-axis of rotation of the spool and to which the lamp socket is connected.

4. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base; a spool within the base having a tubular stem extending laterally therefrom and, through an opening in the base to rotatably support the spool and through which a flexible conductor is adapted to pass, portions of the free end of the stem being cut away to form a pair of opposite fingers; a tubular coupling supported between the stem fingers and to which the lamp socket is connected; and means to embrace the stem to clamp the stem fingers against the coupling and prevent axial movement of the spool.

5. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base, a spool within the base having a tubular stem extending laterally therefrom and through an opening in the base to rotatably support the spool and through which a flexible conductor is adapted to pass, portions of the free end of the stem being cut away to form a pair of opposite fingers; a tubular coupling supported between the stem fingers and to which the lamp socket is connected; and a split resilient collar embracing the stem between the base and coupling to clamp the fingers against the coupling and preventing axial movement of the spool.

6. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base having a nipple projecting centrally therefrom, the juncture of the base and nipple forming an annular seat; a washer engaging in said seat; and a spool within the base having a laterally extending stem to extend through the openings in the washer and nipple to rotatably support the spool, and said stem also acting as the lamp support.

7. In a portable electric lamp support,

the combination of a hollow base; a spool rotatably supported therein; and a suction cup pivotally carried by the spool to project beyond the base when in operative position and to swing into the spool and within the outer contour of the base when in inoperative position.

- 8. In a portable electric lamp support. the combination of a hollow base; a spool having a stem projecting laterally from one side whereby it is rotatably supported within the base and having a recess in the opposite side; and a suction cup pivotally carried by the spool to normally maintain a position within the spool recess and adapted to be swung out from said recess to project beyond the side walls of the base, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base; a su port having a stem projecting lateral y from one side whereby it is. rotatably supported within the base and having a recess in the opposite side; a bail pivot-ally supported at its ends in said spool recess; and a suction. cup carried by said bail, whereby said cup is adjustable to occupy a position within the spool recess and to be swung out from said recess to project beyond the side walls of the base, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base, and a resilient bail conforming to and fixed at its end within the base, said bail being so tensioned as to normally occupy a position within the base to be concealed thereby and adapted to be pulled out from the base to cooperate therewith as a clamp.

11. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a hollow base; and a spring bail the ends of which are bent at substantially right angles to the bail and whereby the bail is fixed within the base to occupy a position adjacent the lower edges thereof with the bail slightly curved in a direction toward the bent ends, said bail being so tensioned as to normally occupy a position within the base and adapted to be pulled out from the base to cooperate therewith as a clamp.

12. In a portable electric lamp support, the combination of a base; and a spring clamping member carried by the base an cooperating therewith as a clamp, comprising a bail conforming substantially to the contour of the base, said bail having a series of coils adjacent each end and fixed at its ends within the base.

13. In aportable electric lamp support, the combination of a base; a spring clamping member carried by the base and cooperating therewith as a clamp, comprising a bail conforming substantially to the contour of the base, said bail having a series of coils adjacent each end and fixed at its ends within the base; and a coveringthat thetension normally maintains the bail in pos tion within the base; and a fingerpiece pivotally connected to the bail to pull it out from the base, said finger-piece hav- 15 ing a perforation, substantially as and for the purpose s ecified.

ILLARD R. GREEN.

ALFRED F ORNANDER. Witnesses:

J OHN O. SEIFERT, W; PHILIPP. 

